Visas for Graduation
Visas for Graduation
Typically, graduation ceremonies at the University of Warwick are scheduled shortly after your course completion. In most cases, your visa should remain valid for attending the graduation ceremony.
This page provides guidance on your options.
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If you currently hold a Student Visa sponsored by the University of Warwick, and it will be valid for your Graduation Ceremony, then you can attend your graduation with your Student Visa.
If your Student Visa will expire before your graduation ceremony, or, it has already expired:
You can apply for a graduate route visaLink opens in a new window, within the UK, by your current Student Visa Expiry date, if you are eligible to do so. This will allow you to remain in the UK while your application is being decided.
Once you have your new Graduate Route Visa, it will be valid for 2 years, and allow you to enter the UK and work during its duration.
Alternatively, you can leave the UK before your current Student Visa Expiry Date and submit an application under the Standard Visitor RouteLink opens in a new window. A Standard Visitor Visa will allow you to attend your Graduation Ceremony.
See section 3 below for more information regarding applying for a visa under the Standard Visitor Route.
Re-entering the UK on your Student Visa
As your visa allows you to enter the UK during its validity period, you should be able to clear the border without any issue.
Therefore, if your visa is still valid, you do not need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa, however, you can do so if you wish to - See Section 3 below.
You must ensure that you have left the UK, or, if you are eligible to do so, that you have submitted a new UK Permission to Stay Application, by your current Student Visa expiry date to avoid becoming an overstayer.
Carry Documents:
UK Border Force may verify your intentions for entering the UK on your arrival at a UK Border.
Therefore, you should ensure you carry evidence with you, such as your ceremony registration conformation, your degree completion conformation, return tickets, etc.
If you have applied for and received a new visa under a different Time Limited Route, such as the Graduate Route or the Skilled Worker Route, then you have the Right to Enter the UK under your new visa.
Attending your Graduation Ceremony is a permitted activity for a Time Limited Visa, and therefore, you do not need to apply for a new visa to attend your Graduation Ceremony.
Carry Documents
UK Border Force may verify your intentions for entering the UK on your arrival at a UK Border.
Therefore, you should ensure you carry evidence with you, such as your ceremony registration conformation, your degree completion conformation, etc.
If you do not currently hold a UK Visa that will allow you to attend your Graduation Ceremony, you will need to apply for a Standard Visitor Visa to attend your graduation.
You should apply for your standard visitor visa no earlier than 3 months before your graduation ceremony.
You should support your visa application with your official results from the academic department, a student status letter and the email from the Awards and Ceremonies Team which confirms that you have been invited to attend the graduation ceremony.
See our guidance on the Standard Visitor Visa, including eligibility requirements and application guides.
If you are a Non-Visa National (your nationality is not on this listLink opens in a new window) or if you are an EU/EEA National:
You can obtain a Standard Visitor Visa on arrival at a UK Border using your Passport.
You should carry with you supporting evidence in case UK Border Force request this of you.
See our guidance on the Standard Visitor Visa, including eligibility requirements.
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A-Z of Visa Terms
Not sure what something means?
Check our list of common visa-related terminology.